Here are some comments from the reviews our guests have been kind enough to leave us over the years. They come from Facebook, TripAdvisor, Revoo, our visitor book and on social media.
We want to say a massive thank you to everyone who has stayed at Southern Bell so far and look forward to welcoming you back along with many new guests in the future.
In May 2018, unknown to us at the time, we also had a lovely family of popular vloggers stay at Southern Bell and you can see the story of their stay in these three vlogs: I Surprised Her, A Day To Remember and Finding Out We're Pregnant. Thank you very much to Ebony Day and David Gibbs for their very kind comments and great videos. We are so glad you enjoyed your stay!
Thank You!
Clive & Jo
General Comments:
“Southern Bellissimo!”
“ an amazing house and an amazing holiday. Thank you.”
“… by far, one of the best weekends away we've had…”
“… everything we imagined plus more…”
“… There are only a few places that I’ve stayed in that I couldn’t fault. This is one of those places…”
“… Absolutely brilliant on all fronts!..”
“… Excellent unique property in an amazing location …”
“… I cant think of anything negative to say about Southern Bell….”
“… brilliant holiday at Southern Bell, the ... The accommodation was immaculately clean & the location is unbeatable with fantastic panoramic sea views…”
“… all in all a lovely place to stay if you want a family beach holiday, we will all remember our stay at southern bell for a long time to come & can recommend it highly…”
“… Property and location is exactly as you see it on the web site.”
“… I loved watching all the different ships sailing by whilst sipping wine from a very comfortable arm chair, my young grandchildren loved the beach and the Xbox in the First Class train lounge and my teenage Grand Daughters enjoyed emptying my purse at the Outlet Mall in Portsmouth...”
“… We were a family + dog (puppy) looking for a half term venue near the sea. We found this property ticked our requirements. As it turns out it ticked many more boxes we didn't realise we had!!..”
“… Well equipped holiday accommodation, very comfortable beds. Perfect position for the beach which the children loved…”
“… We had a wonderful week in this delightful cottage. It's a little gem!..”
“… A very unique layout and stunning position…”
“… A wonderful place to stay…”
“Absolutely stunning beach house by the sea.”
“… Fabulous property!! Must be seen! Undersold on your website. Did not expect such a gem!..”
“Wonderful accommodation and setting.”
“We could not ask for more than this house and it’s setting.”
“Lovely location and fabulously quirky.”
“A wonderful week in this gorgeous house. Comfy beds, fluffy towels and a great oven.”
“Southern Bell is a great family venue and lived up to the comfortable and spacious living conveyed on the website and right on the beach. Lovely!”
“… We arrived at Southern Bell after a long week at work (6 of us) and as soon as we stepped into the hallway, our stress evaporated into the sea air! You are instantly bowled over by the unique and simply stunning décor of this place…”
“A cut above…”
“Beautiful property in an idyllic location”
“A truly wonderful stay”
“What a wonderful house”
“Amazing location. We loved the house and the beach and there was everything we needed. We were sad to leave.” (guest, aged 9)
“The perfect house for a wonderful week of much-needed relaxation.”
“What a fantastic find!”
“We came to “chill-out” but roasted in the hot sun.”
“Lovely views and unique accommodation.”
“The accommodation is beautiful and special. Glourious weather only added to a fantastic weekend.”
“Wonderful two weeks spent in this exceptional cottage. Scenery and weather both gorgeous.”
“Everyone feels thoroughly relaxed, humans and dogs.”
“First Class Carriages!”
“10/10!”
“What a great week we all had. Fantastic property, beautiful location and brilliant being on the sea front.”
“BBQs on the beach, swimming in the sea and relaxing in the garden.”
“Out of all the places we have stayed over the years, Southern Bell has blown them all out of the water, being all it promised and more.”
“The most amazing week in this wonderful house.”
“A perfect place to unwind.”
“We loved Southern Bell’s uniqueness, it’s views, the carriages and it’s space.”
“What can I say about the accommodation? – Terrific. Thank you so much.”
“Fantastic week-long break for new year.”
“Southern Bell has been brilliant.”
“The accommodation is quirky, interesting and we were all very comfortable.”
“The attention to detail was lovely and the view amazing.
“Great place for hide & seek!”
About Families & Dogs:
“… Wonderful family holiday involving 3 generations all with different requirements…”
“… A wonderful holiday for the extended family and the dogs! The house is unique …”
“Made many more happy memories with our grandchildren.”
“Perfect for family get togethers.”
“Ages ranged from 11 to 73 years and it suited us all.”
“A brilliant venue for a big family gathering enjoyed by all ages.”
“Four generations from 95 years to 4 months had a wonderful week.”
“Four generations thoroughly enjoyed their stay in this lovely home.”
“A Christmas present for all the family from our eldest daughter. We have had a great time and the children have loved every minute. We would thoroughly recommend it to others.”
“Excellent venue and hospitality. Great for all of us with an age range from 6 to 63 years.”
“… plenty of room for 6 adults and a big dog. “
“… Secured outside space for my two little sausage dogs...”
“…Three generations under one roof a great opportunity to catch up…”
“… The open plan kitchen/diner/lounge layout is perfect in order to keep the group "together"… “
“… Perfect beach location for extended family…”
“… so nice to seat all eight of us around the same table at meal times…”
“… Wish this had been around when my kids were little…”
“We needed a family break that would cater for my teenage daughter, my elderly Mother and 2 small dogs. Southern Bell certainly fitted the bill. Plenty of room for everyone...”
“… There are 2 sitting rooms … great to give my daughter her own space for her very private phone calls.”
“…The enclosed garden area was ideal for our dogs and the easy access to the beach made their and our stay most enjoyable…”
“… We were three generations staying there so a choice of two lounge areas was a bonus. Great location straight on to the beach. Beds comfortable with good quality linen and towels…”
“What a lovely place to stay and celebrate our 40th wedding anniversary with all our family.”
“Wonderful stay, three generations together, from 58 years to 20 weeks.”
“Ideal for old and young.”
“The kids enjoyed sleeping in the carriages and grandma appreciated the beach being so close.”
“Amazing kitchen/lounge/dining room. The rea hub of the house where we had lots of fun.”
“Wonderful week in a wonderful house enjoyed by three generations and a dog.”
“Fantastic house for our two-family gathering. Beautifully equipped and great location.”
“Multiple generations loved this wonderful seaside home. Cocoa and Lady loved the beach and the kids lived in the hammock and on the Xbox… We couldn’t have asked for anything else.”
“The grandchildren loved the bedrooms in the 3rd-class carriage and the Xbox in First Class.”
“Somewhere to chill, relax and catch up with family.”
“Three generations came together in this stunning house and location.”
“An excellent weekend celebrating my 60th birthday with my children and granddaughters. Thank you for everything.”
“Wonderful base for a special family gettogether.”
“Fascinating house for our family Christmas. Thank you for all the thoughtful touches that made our stay so comfortable.”
“A lovely house to spend a relaxing week with family and dog.”
“Lovely family-friendly base. Kids loved the carriages and the beach. Would recommend.”
“A wonderful family weekend. Thoroughly enjoyed staying in this unique property.”
“Wonderful place to celebrate grandad’s 70th birthday.”
My Grandson summed it up “This place is ace!”
“A perfect house for a family beach holiday.”
“We leave with lasting memories of family time and an engagement to celebrate too!”
“Perfect for a family get-together. Lovely house and wonderful views plus good walks for three generations.”
“Our family Christmas celebration… couldn’t have been better.”
“Groovy house (the kid’s loved it) and superb views.”
“What a fantastic location for my 60th birthday celebrations made very special with friends and family.”
“Booked this for my 60th birthday and our 40th wedding anniversary, we needed accommodation for six adults, two children and two dogs, Southern Bell was perfect for us.”
“An amazing house, especially loved by our 5 & 6 year old Grandsons.”
“A 40th birthday celebration and the setting was perfect!”
“We were here for a 30th birthday and had a wonderful time.”
“Celebrating my 60th birthday and our 40th wedding anniversary with our children and grandchildren. I couldn’t have found anywhere better… Already planning our next visit.”
“Lovely sunny stay for 50th wedding anniversary celebration.”
“This was the first holiday for our five month old puppy and to our surprise he was settled in on the first night.”
“Thoroughly enjoyable week was had by all, especially our dog, who couldn’t believe the sea was so close.”
“Perfect location. Our dog thinks he’s died and gone to heaven!”
“Doggy paradise.”
“We and our two dogs loved it here.”
“Our favourite things were
- “Being in the sea” (Molly, 6)
- “The train rides” (Arthur, 4)
- “Early morning picnic breakfasts on the beach” (Albert, 4)
- “Watching the children play safely” (Mum and Dad)
- “The ever-changing seascape” (Grandad and Grandma)
About the Rail Carriages:
“… my grandson could not believe that his bedroom was a railway carriage, he loved it...”
“… I always love to stay somewhere a bit different when on holiday and Southern Bell certainly ticks that box! The converted railway carriage which makes up the main part of the property are an absolute delight…”
“The carriages make a brilliant place for all the family to stay. There is plenty of room for children and its great being by the beach even in December!”
“The internal carriage doors close with exactly the sound you'd expect!! We had so much fun; we would definitely return.”
“The renovation of the carriages is inspirational- modern and comfortable but keeping all the original features.”
“… We enjoyed reading the history and understanding the original carriages…”
“… The railway carriages are a paradise for Young and old. Very comfortable, lovely, cosy and well equipped property…”
“Steeped in railway history and a special surprise for my husband’s 60th.”
“My husband and grandson are both into old railways so this was heaven for them. Our granddaughter loved her bedroom in one of the carriages and claimed the snug in the first class carriage as her own private den, she didn't want to leave.”
About the House, Equipment and Furnishing:
“Really unique accommodation finished to a very high standard situated right on the sea front…”
“The accommodation is just as advertised; the beds were comfy; the kitchen well equipped; the showers were hot and the towels were fluffy - enough said. Access to the beach is via steps in the sea wall at the bottom of the garden and almost all the sea front attractions are within walking distance.”
“…Decoration and furnishings are beautiful and it has everything you could possibly want to make a truly memorable holiday…. “
“… modern, yet still has that 'home from home' vibe about it too… “
“… all the beds are comfortable and the showers are powerful and hot… “
“… The beds were very comfortable and the towels are so soft!..”
“… Spotlessly clean and very well equipped…”
“… the beds are very comfortable - very important!”
“… plenty of space to spread out in two sitting rooms…”
“… High standard of cleanliness. Amenities in the house are awesome, anything from luxury toilet paper, washing up liquid to Xbox, Virgin in both rooms with TV…”
“…the rich hamper as a welcome gift is a pleasant and thoughtful touch…”
“… a great unique property set in a brilliant position and location. This property is well equipped with all the equipment that you will require...”
“… really spacious, bright, clean with plenty of room for all.”
“… ample gated parking at the front of the property.”
“… wonderful week in a beautiful house. The accommodation was immaculate and everything we could have wanted was provided…”
“... The thought put into the layout; provision and consideration to provide a family and dog friendly environment, easy access to beach and other locations, beautifully warm, fabulous sea views and plentiful local information…”
“… extremely clean and the bed linen lovely and fresh…”
“The owners have provided all you could possibly want in the kitchen which has a great cooker & double ovens.”
“The house was extremely well equipped and the youngest member of our party enjoyed the first class carriage lounge to play computer games occasionally…”
“A lovely, stylish, comfortable holiday home with fabulous views.”
“We booked this accommodation for a family birthday celebration. Everyone was impressed with the standard of accommodation, décor, cleanliness, equipment and furniture. Having two train enthusiasts in a group, Southern Bell was the ideal holiday accommodation. It was also excellent for our 15 year old who made good use of the Xbox One.”
“We had a total of 6 vehicles in our group & were able to park all 6 off road.”
“… extremely well decorated and fitted out with good furnishings and very modern equipment whilst retaining its quirkiness and character..”
“… spotlessly clean upon arrival…”
“The owners have done a great job with quality fittings and lovely bedding . Thank you.”
“Very impressive – certainly has the wow factor.”
“Excellent quality finish.”
“Very clean and tidy and everything has been thought of.”
“Very well equipped.”
“Equipped with everything we thought we needed plus lots more.”
“Beautiful house done to a very high standard.”
“Tip-top accommodation.”
“What a fabulous home you have created. So stylish and relaxing.”
“Very well equipped.”
“What a fantastic house, beautifully finished to provide a home away from home.”
“Everything anybody could possibly need.”
“Great house, very unusual and very comfortable.”
“Fantastic stay – thank you so much.”
“We absolutely loved staying in this beautiful house and loved all the little touches and the welcome pack. We’ve had a brilliant holiday.”
“So much more than we expected and even better than the photos.”
“So clean and well-presented.”
“Warm and comfortable.”
“Really comfy beds, well-equipped kitchen and lovely fluffy towels.”
“Lots of room for 6 cars and 8 of us.”
“Extremely well-equipped and plenty of room.”
“The property is equipped to a high standard with everything we needed, very fluffy towels better than we've had in some hotels, a very well kitted kitchen, no running out of plates here. With plenty of parking on the gravelled forecourt, behind a closable gate for added security.”
About the Beach:
“… The beach is literally in your back garden - perfect for dogs, children or indeed anyone…”
“… The beach is literally on your doorstep…”
“... All the facilities (and more) that you need are on hand - including....THE BEACH! What a joy to step outside straight onto the beach…”
“The position of the house is perfect for the beach, our dog also came with us and loved the long walks on the beach each day.”
“Great Beach Location…”
“We had a wonderful holiday. The house is amazing and such fun to stay in, especially the location! Right by the beach!”
“It was just lovely to go out of the gate and walk on the beach. It was hard to leave…”
“Lovely quirky property & great that it is right on the beach.”
“The uninterrupted views of the Solent from the front garden and comfortable open plan kitchen/lounge are truly amazing day and night. An ideal property for young and old. It is very well equipped and tastefully decorated.”
“… right on the beach…”
“The highlight of our holiday has been having the beach on our doorstep allowing for relaxing night walks and exciting adventures during the day.”
“… Amazing location straight on the beach with a unique sea view…”
About the View:
“Arrived after dark so the view from the living room window took my breath away the next morning.”
“The views across to the Isle of Wight are fantastic…”
“… amazing sunrises and sunsets…”
“… The location simply blew us away - my husband was glued to the windows with binoculars watching the shipping…”
“We loved watching the ships & kite surfers always something to see, the grandchildren had a great time on the beach…”
“Great location and stunning views.”
“Amazing views. We enjoyed watching the boats and ships and spotted a seal one morning.”
“Amazing views and a constantly-changing landscape.”
“The views are amazing and always changing.“
“Exciting watching the waves and gorgeous views.”
“Superb location, comfortable accommodation, ever-changing views.”
“Lovely setting and so much to see on the water, it changes so often.”
“Fantastic views with endless opportunities for ship-watching.”
“Spectacular views of the thunderstorm and lightening across the sea.”
“The location right on the beach with easy walking along the promenade, views of the Isle of Wight and stunning sunsets all add to the enjoyment.”
About the Owners:
“… I can't thank the owners enough for being so helpful and accommodating…”
“… I would thoroughly recommend this place, the owners could not be more accommodating.”
“… It's a perfect location for friends or family. We met the owners and they are absolutely lovely and so helpful...”
“… The owner of the holiday home is very helpful and welcoming. We are visiting again this year which is unusual for us as my husband doesn't like going anywhere twice!..”
“… Clive and Jo could not have been more welcoming. We would recommend it to anyone.”
“… Clive, the owner was extremely helpful and very responsive during our stay. I would not hesitate to recommend a booking.”
“… Had to contact owners as a visitor wanted to take pictures of the carriages and the response was imminent..”
“…The owners were very friendly and couldn't have been more helpful. Thank you from all the family- and the dogs!”
“…The owners were very attentive, offering assistance if we should need it. Congratulations to them for such a superb holiday let.”
“… We were also impressed with the level of communication from the owners…”
“… Jo and Clive the owners have created a quite unique holiday home that is furnished to an extremely high standard. I wouldn't be surprised to see it featured in a coastal magazine, it's that good!”
“The owners have done a superb job.”
“Thank you for making our break special.”
“Thanks for the advice on things to spot at sea and the smile.”
“Very welcoming owners.”
“Clive and Jo have been very friendly.”
“The welcome pack is a lovely touch which just made us feel even more welcome.”
Recommending/deciding to stay again:
“… Will definitely stay again.”
“… Would definitely return :-)”
“… An excellent stay again. This was our third time…”
“… We absolutely loved Southern Bell and hope to book another short winter break…”
“Couldn't fault it. Very sad to leave and hope to go back. Lovely.”
“… A very special property. Very much enjoyed our stay and in fact have booked again for a week in September.”
“… Will definitely be back!”
“We felt very welcome and at home here, wish we didn’t have to leave.”
“None of us wanted to go home, nor did our dogs.”
“Enjoyed the beach, the time together and the views. Booking again!”
“A wonderful break, we wish we were staying longer.”
“We know we will be back.”
“Didn’t want to go home.”
“Wonderful. Too-short a stay.”
“Would recommend to everyone.”
“Roll-on next year, next time.”
“Loved the quirkiness and the welcome treats, will definitely be back!”
“Shame we couldn’t stay longer. We enjoyed every minute.”
“Our first visit but not our last.”
“Our second stay and it felt like home as soon as we walked in.”
“The week passed very quickly. We will be back!”
“Lots to do and everybody welcoming. Will definitely be recommending to family and friends and hope to book again next year.”
“Back again for another wonderful weekend with two branches of our family and three generations. A very happy time had by all.”
“Lovely location for our golden wedding with family… would definitely come again.”
“Great time. Will definitely come back.”
“An amazing holiday in this gorgeous home. Really want to come back again. Thank you!”
“Just beautiful. Here’s to next year.”
“Will come back some time to recharge.”
“Would recommend this lovely cottage.”
“Hope we can return sometime.”
“The most wonderful week. Southern Bell is a fantastic home. We will be back.”
“Our second time here and it was lovely. Our dog loved it and we hope we can come again next year.”
“Another marvellous stay ay at Southern Bell.”
“Great accommodation and location. Our pugs had a great time and we will, be back!”
“Fantastic weekend in this beautiful beach house. We will be back again soon.”
“We found it hard to leave and are already thinking when we can visit again.”
“… We'll be visiting again for sure!”
About the Area:
“…The area was quiet and it was fantastic to be right on the beach. It is a short walk to local shops…“
“… Lovely walks along by the sea…”
“… We had some great walks along the beach and watched the ships on the horizon….”
“… even though the weather wasn't great for the second half of our holiday we had plenty of fun playing boules in the garden area and going for walks in both directions from the path directly in front of the house…”
“We were able to walk to shops, restaurants and pubs and the beach was on our doorstep. Also lovely that we could take the dog. She loved her holiday and the property even had a hosepipe to wash her down with!”
“We had a bit of a family reunion and all agreed that it was a great venue. We took trips to The New Forest (lunch at The Pig was a holiday treat) and also to Portsmouth and Upark House (NT)”
“… Hayling Island seems to have a slower pace of life and it was very relaxing…”
“… fabulous walks along the beach and so much to do in the area!”
“.... marvellous views across the Solent to the Isle of Wight and lovely coastal walks right on the doorstep.”
“Great base to explore the local area and very handy for dog walking.”
“Perfect seafront location.”
“Great sunsets and walks.”
“Fab location.”
“A lovely quirky destination and Hayling Island is so much better than we expected.”
“Southern Bell, is a magical base from which to explore the area.”